Women in Construction:

Building a More Inclusive Industry, One Initiative at a Time

The results of the Léger survey on the construction industry revealed a concerning reality: women remain largely underrepresented in construction trades, and several systemic barriers continue to limit their access, recognition, and advancement in the sector. This finding prompted us to take action. 

On International Charity Day, we want to highlight the concrete steps we are taking to transform our industry. At Pomerleau, we strongly believe that the construction industry of tomorrow must be built with more equity, more diversity, and more women. That’s why we have accelerated our efforts and structured a range of community engagement initiatives, donations, and sponsorships dedicated to supporting women who choose to pursue careers in construction trades. 

Investments Dedicated to Women and the Next Generation in Construction 

In 2025, a strategic share of our community engagement budget was dedicated to initiatives highlighting women and the next generation in the construction sector. This includes donations and sponsorships aimed at promoting women’s careers in construction trades across Canada. Specific resources were allocated to support targeted initiatives such as scholarship programs, recognition events, and partnerships with organizations dedicated to women’s inclusion in non-traditional trades. These actions reflect our broader commitment to a sustainable future, as outlined in our 2024 Sustainability Report. 

Initiatives that Inspire and Transform the Industry

Jill of All Trades 

We are proud to support the Jill of All Trades program, which organizes events in postsecondary institutions designed to introduce construction trades to girls between the ages of 14 and 18. Through hands-on workshops, presentations, and mentorship opportunities, these events help break down stereotypes and open the door to careers in technical trades. 

As part of the Building Forward webseries, we had the privilege of welcoming Rosie Hessian, founder of Jill of All Trades, who shared the program’s mission and impact. Her testimony highlighted the importance of creating spaces for learning and recognition for young women interested in non-traditional trades. 

Semaine des bâtisseuses – Elles de la construction 

In May, we participated in the Semaine des bâtisseuses (Women Builders’ Week), organized by Elles de la construction. This thematic week raises public and industry awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion. During this week, where Pomerleau was an official partner, our colleague Claire Mollereau, Director of Operational Excellence, shared her experience alongside other panelists during the discussion The Construction of Tomorrow: Driving Change and Building Diversity. 

Skills Ontario – Young Women’s Conference 

The Young Women’s Conference, organized by Skills Ontario, is a flagship event designed to introduce female high school students to career opportunities in technical and construction trades. Through panels, demonstrations, and inspiring testimonials, this annual conference brings together hundreds of participants in a dynamic, educational environment. 

We had the honour of opening the 2025 edition with remarks by Courtney Ramsay, Senior Director – Talent, Culture, and Leadership at Pomerleau. She shared practical insights on career possibilities in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of female representation in technical trades. Later that day, Denise Angelakos, Preconstruction Bid Manager at Pomerleau, took part in a panel where she shared her journey to engineering, offering participants an authentic and motivating perspective. 

^{Courtney Ramsay, Senior Director – Talent, Culture, and Leadership at Pomerleau giving the opening remarks at the Young Women’s Conference, organized by Skills Ontario.}

WIN Awards – Women’s Infrastructure Network 

We support the WIN Awards program, which recognizes women leaders in the infrastructure sector. In 2025, as a Gold Sponsor, we presented the “Emerging Leader” award, which was delivered by Isabel Pouliot, Executive Vice-President – Talent, Culture, and Sustainability. In addition, our Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer, Sophie Morin, was a finalist in the “Outstanding Leader” category, underscoring her role as a role model and pioneer in the industry. 

“Elles font plus que la job” Scholarships – SORIF 

In partnership with the Service d’orientation et de recherche d’emploi pour l’intégration des femmes au travail (SORIF), we support women enrolled in training programs traditionally dominated by men—where women represent less than 33% of the cohort. In 2025, 13 scholarships were awarded at a ceremony in Montreal, where our colleague Erica Magrini, Assistant Project Manager at Pomerleau, founding member and former president of Génie au féminin during her time at Université de Sherbrooke, spoke to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the next generation of women. 

Women Leaders Event – CCA Conference 

At the annual Canadian Construction Association (CCA) Conference, we sponsored a discussion panel entitled Celebrating Women in Construction, where Sophie Morin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer at Pomerleau, shared her career journey. The event, which drew a full audience, explored key issues of inclusion, women’s leadership, and concrete ways to accelerate industry transformation. 

A Sustainable, Evolving Vision 

We are proud to support initiatives that put women at the centre of change in our industry. By investing in mentorship programs, recognition events, scholarships, and strategic partnerships, we are actively helping to redefine standards in the construction sector. Our commitment is clear: to build a more inclusive industry where women can not only find their place, but also thrive.